22

'FETCHING WOOD'

I'VE OFTEN HEARD IT STATED
THAT FIREWOOD WARMS TWICE.
BUT TO MY CALCULATIONS
IT WARMS MORE THAN THRICE.

IT WARMS WHEN YOU CUT
A TREE FROM IT'S STUMP
AND AGAIN WHEN YOU BLOCK IT,
THEN YOUR HEART BEGINS TO PUMP.

AND AGAIN WHEN IT'S LOADED
IN THE OLD PICK-UP TRUCK.
IT'S ONLY LOADED ONCE, UNLESS
YOU HAVE BAD LUCK.

THEN, AFTER THE SHORT,
OR LONG RIDE TO YOUR HOME,
YOU CLIMB FROM THE TRUCK AND
FEELING STIFF JOINTS, YOU GROAN.

BUT THE JOB ISN'T FINISHED,
SO YOU DILIGENTLY PACK
EACH BLOCK TO THE WOODSHED
AND MAKE A NEAT STACK.

NOW, UP TO THIS POINT,
THE TIMES WARMED IS FOUR.
BUT THAT'S NOT THE TOTAL
BECAUSE IT WARMS TWICE MORE.

SOME BLOCKS ARE SO LARGE
THEY MUST BE SPLIT
WHEN INTO THE STOVE THEY GO
AND A FLAME IS 'LIT'.

NOW COMES THE BEST PART
AND THE SIXTH TIME IT WARMS
AS WE SIT IN A COZY HOME
WHILE OUTSIDE IT STORMS.

IT'S A FUN TIME FOR FAMILIES
AND ALL FOR THE GOOD
AND WORTH ALL THE TROUBLE
THE JOB OF 'FETCHING WOOD'.

....LAPRIEL BARTSCHI DUNFORD